Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world — as Losar or the Tibetan New Year, and as Chinese New Year, or just as "lunar" new year. Most special occasions in Buddhism align with the lunar calendar. Due to differences in calculation, the Tibetan lunar new year is 30...
Among the best known — and yet most mysterious — practices in Tibetan Buddhism is the kindness Metta meditation known as Tonglen. Described as a Bodhichitta practice, "a wonderful practice!", Venerable Zasep Rinpoche teaches why it is important, the merit of the practice, and how to actually perform Tonglen visualization meditation. (Guided...
Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva revered by millions across East Asia — honoured by the Buddha Himself due to his "untiring limitless compassion" — and his vows to help all sentient beings. He is also popularly known as Lord Jizo (Gizo). By Eddie Sobenes (Bio at bottom of feature) In this feature, we...
Shakyamuni Buddha was born to the warrior caste, a prince and heir. As a young adult, when Shakyamuni Buddha cut his hair, he symbolically separated himself from the worldly, including his past role as a princely member of the "warrior caste" — but he didn't leave behind his warrior's courage. He remained...
An Introduction to Buddhist Prayer By Jason Espada In America, and in the West in general these days, people don’t usually associate Buddhism and prayer. We usually think of Buddhism as a tradition that teaches quiet sitting meditation, and it is certainly that. Right below the surface, however, we find that there...
Tara practice is among the most beautiful and inspiring practices in Mahayana Buddhism, but — why are there so many Taras? In every Mahayana tradition, there are many aspects or emanations of Tara — seemingly one for every fear or danger sentient beings face. Is it because she is so beloved? Probably....
Why do many Buddhist teachers describe Vajrayogini as the one practice for our busy, hectic, terrifying times which can lead us, in one lifetime, to Enlightenment? Why is Vajrayogini the Sarva Buddha Dakini — the Dakini who is the essence of all the Buddhas? What are the ten benefits of her practice?...
Why do many Buddhist teachers describe Vajrayogini as the one practice for our busy, hectic, terrifying times which can lead us, in one lifetime, to Enlightenment? Why is Vajrayogini the Sarva Buddha Dakini — the Dakini who is the essence of all the Buddhas? What are the ten benefits of her practice?...
Why do many Buddhist teachers describe Vajrayogini as the one practice for our busy, hectic, terrifying times which can lead us, in one lifetime, to Enlightenment? Why is Vajrayogini the Sarva Buddha Dakini — the Dakini who is the essence of all the Buddhas and Dakinis? What are the ten benefits of...
Venerable Zasep Rinpoche leads a short healing teaching and mantra with visualization on Vajrapani Hayagriva King Garuda. He teaches the mantra and describes how to visualize the healing, both for people with initiation, and without. This famous healing practice, combines a meditation on the Power, Compassion and Wisdom of the Buddha, represented...
Today’s modern world can leave you spinning. Finding time to look inward is challenging with all the external stimuli demanding your attention. However, the human soul cries out for the deeper understanding and peace that only contemplative practices can bring, such as the four protective meditations in Buddhism. By Beth Rush, Editor,...
By Sanathavihari Bhikkhu (Bio at bottom of feature.) Sanathavihari BhikkhuA Theravadan monk explains how Buddhist mindfulness and clinical therapeutic mindfulness are complimentary — but not the same 1 As a Buddhist monk, I have some misgivings about the way in which mindfulness is understood and used today. My biggest concern is the misunderstanding of mindfulness, which can often lead to the abuse of it. Allow me...
Tara, like any Mother, is ready to jump to our aid, even in mundane areas of life. She is the “practical Buddha” — the “Karma Mother” — the Buddha most active in our lives. Her Sanskrit name translates as “a star by which to navigate” — and like a star, she is always with us whenever we look for her.
An entire playlist of every one of the mantras for the 21 Taras. Don't miss the amazing Tara mantra chanting of Yoko Dharma for the each Tara of the 21 Taras according to Surya Gupta lineage. One video with many repetitions and visualized images for each Tara. The final video is the English-translated 21 Praises to Tara sung in English.
